Humane Treatment of Farmed Animals

Hello, 

Thank you for your continued support of Humane Canada and Farmed Animal Welfare. We are pleased to share important updates with you to start the new year. 

Updates on Bills C-355 and C-275 

Two important bills addressing farmed animals are currently being considered by the Senate: Private Members Bill C-355, Prohibition of the Export of Horses by Air for Slaughter Act, has been stalled for study by the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry. We need Senators to complete their diligent work promptly and pass the bill to end this dangerous practice, which causes far too many horses to suffer long distance transportation under sub-standard conditions that puts their health and welfare at risk.  

Private Members Bill C-275, An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act (biosecurity on farms), is an ag-gag style bill,whose intention is to prevent animal advocates from trespassing on farms and other facilities where animals are kept. Humane Canada testified both in the House of Commons and the Senate to urge Parliamentarians to improve transparency on farms, rather than eroding it.The bill was recently amended,effectively allowing the provisions to apply to everyone, not just animal advocates. This interesting development allows it to more effectively address biosecurity and no longer targets those who are trying to raise awareness about the conditions under which farmed animals are kept.Additionally, the Senate report on the bill also calls on the Governor in Council to establish mandatory regulations for biosecurity on farms. The bill will continue to be considered in Parliament. 

Humane Canada continues its work at the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) 

Since last September, we have made significant strides in advancing farmed animal welfare by collaborating with partners and stakeholders across Canada, particularly through our engagement with the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC). We are actively contributing to the development and revision of three Codes of Practice for the Care and Handling of Animals: Equine, Poultry (Chickens, Turkeys, and Breeders), and Pig. 

In August, the Equine Code committee convened, and our representative successfully advocated for key Humane Canada priorities to be included in the scientific review conducted by the Code Scientific Committee. This review is critical for building the evidence base that will guide updates to the Code.The types of issues we advocate for include addressing pain, humane handling and training, and other elements that set horses up for good health and welfare throughout their lives. 

We were also pleased to see the release of the Equine Code top-of-mind survey results, which NFACC developed and conducted. Humane Canada actively engaged with our network, supporting an impressive response.Overall, the survey garnered 2,194 responses—an indicator of the strong interest Canadians have in equine welfare. The survey highlighted key concerns among respondents, such as medical care, pain mitigation, shelter, space, training, food and water, and handling. 

In October, we began work on the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Chickens, Turkeys, and Breeders. Our involvement is strengthened by the expertise of a highly experienced poultry scientist who has represented animal welfare in previous Code updates. The top-of-mind survey for this Code was launched in mid-October and closed on November 8th. As with our previous initiatives, we reached out to animal welfare supporters through all our communication channels to encourage public participation. 

Why do we work with the industry? 

In 2024, some of our supporters asked why we collaborate with the industry to advance farmed animal welfare in Canada. Over 800 million animals are raised and killed in Canada each year for local and international consumption, with the majority spending their lives in intensive farming systems. While Humane Canada advocates for federal regulations that protect the welfare of all animals, interim guidelines are essential for farmers to follow until such regulations are developed. 

The NFACC Codes of Practice are, in most provinces, voluntary minimum standards that ensure animals are well-cared for from birth to slaughter. These standards cover essential aspects of their lives on-farm such as housing conditions, feeding and watering requirements, and handling practices. Humane Canada supports industry efforts and actively engages with them to have these guidelines applied in Animal Care Assessment Programs. These programs serve as auditing tools to regularly evaluate farmers’ adherence to the Codes of Practice. 

Thanks to your support in 2024, we have been able to lead these vital efforts. Your continued commitment empowers us to stay at the forefront of farmed animal welfare, ensuring that humane practices are implemented nationwide. As we prepare to begin work on updating the Pig Code in 2025, alongside ongoing progress on other Codes, Humane Canada is entering a critical stage of advocacy.

We need your support now more than ever to push these standards forward and secure a humane future for all farmed animals. Thank you.

Links:

• Humane Canada

Hello,

Thank you for your continued support of Farmed Animal Welfare. We are pleased to share this update with you since our last report.

After leaving the House of Commons in early May, Bill C-355 passed first reading in the Senate on May 21st and continues to be debated at second reading in the Senate. This bill seeks to prohibit the export by air of horses for slaughter. 

A joint investigation conducted by Canadian and Japanese animal protection groups, has recently shed more light on some major concerns with live horse transport by air. The investigation found that shipments from Canada to Japan frequently exceed the 28-hour maximum transport time mandated by the federal government.  

Bill C-275, a federal ag-gag bill, continues to work its way through Parliament. It is currently being studied by the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, and Humane Canada has been invited to testify. We will highlight the need for a stronger, more robust, transparent and accountable system to protect the welfare of farmed animals, rather than legislation that weakens it. Canada needs to evolve our food system to one that is more humane, just and sustainable – one that recognizes the interconnections between the health and welfare of humans, animals and the environment. 

 Humane Canada Welcomes a Manager for Farmed Animal Welfare Work 

The last three months have marked significant progress in our advocacy efforts to improve the welfare of farmed animals. We proudly welcomed a new team member as our Manager of Farmed Animal Welfare. With extensive training as a veterinarian and farmed animal welfare researcher, her leadership has strengthened our approach. She will support the existing team members who have made significant strides in advancing meaningful and positive change at the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC). 

One highlight is the release of the Beef Code top-of-mind survey results by NFACC. We were thrilled that the survey received 3,059 responses—more than double that of previous Codes. This overwhelming response shows how much Canadians care about the treatment of cattle raised for meat. The main areas of concern were painful practices, housing, handling, mistreatment, and abuse. Thanks to your support, we can amplify these voices and advocate for substantial improvements in the life of cattle welfare. 

Continuing with our work at NFACC, we are working with a highly experienced equine veterinarian specializing in behaviour and horse training, who will represent us on the Equine Code committee. They have started work this summer and will focus on advancing positive changes for the welfare of equines in Canada. In addition, NFACC released the top-of-mind survey for the Sheep Code in July, and Humane Canada quickly spread the word through our social media channels and mailing list, ensuring that those who care about farmed animals had the chance to be heard. 

Humane Canada remains dedicated to championing meaningful improvements in farmed animal welfare through proactive engagement, advocacy and collaboration with stakeholders across Canada. But we can’t do this alone. Your support is vital in driving these initiatives forward, ensuring that the welfare of farmed animals is prioritized and protected. Thank you.

Links:

• Beef Code Survery
• Humane Canada